Weirdo Ripper by Yadin Nicol

Model Description

For that small to medium all-around board in your quiver is the Yadin Nicol-created “Weirdo Ripper.” Development began with Yadin in a CI shaping bay getting weird on Al’s Pod design. The Weirdo Ripper spent over a year behind the scenes in development with Kelly, Dane, Nathaniel and Yadin until ultimately being unveiled at the 2012 US Open by Dane Reynolds, who displayed the board’s advantages in the tricky Huntington conditions.

The Weirdo Ripper is a user friendly design, full volume for easy paddling, wide point forward, V bottom, square-winged swallow that works well as a thruster or quad.

Austin at CI East Coast Warehouse06-05-14
Hi Charlie,
Normally when starting off you want to be on somewhat of a larger board. Something like a fun shape in the 7’6 – 8’6 range with a round full nose and a good amount of overall volume like the Water Hog. That way the board will float and paddle you well. It also will be stable when you get to your feet. Then as you get better you should move to something smaller that you can progress more on. That is when the Weirdo Ripper is going to be a great second board option. The Weirdo has more volume and lower overall rocker compared to other smaller performance models which is going to help the board paddle and float better. It will also not be as hard of a transition coming off of a larger board. The Weirdo is a great board for surf from about thigh high to a couple feet over head with a lot of maneuverability which is going to help and allow you to begin to progress with your surfing.

hi,
Looking at getting a new weirdo! Am really stoked on my old one which is the 5’11 @ 34.5 liters, but looking to get a little less vol on the next one. Thinking either the 5’11 minus dims @ 33.1L or the 5’10 @ 32.7L. Question is if I get the 5’ll @ 33.1L, is the difference in width from the standard dims big enough to make the board ride differently? thanks

Hi CI,
I would like to get the WeirdoRipper, but I am confused about size. Actually I ride a 7’2 Waterhog and I like it, but would like to transfer to a shortboard, and have the Waterhog for smaller days. My weight is 160lbs and height 5’8 and I find my skills as a novice Your board selector says that 5’7 is good for my. Do you think it really is? Or should I get it bigger? Please let me know!

Hi BB,
With your size and level of surfing you are on the right track as to sizing for a Weirdo Ripper. Since you have been riding a 7’2 Water Hog and have the basics down but are still a novice with your size a WR that is 5’7 x 19 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ 28.6L will work very well for you. This will be the correct amount of volume for you and will paddle and float you very well. If you would feel more comfortable you could go up to 5’8 with more volume but I would not go any larger than that. Any larger is going to make the board quite stiff and not as maneuverable as you would want for your size. Either 5’7 or 5’8 is going to work perfect for you and allow you to start progressing with your surfing.

Hi Charlie,
Normally when starting off you want to be on somewhat of a larger board. Something like a fun shape in the 7’6 – 8’6 range with a round full nose and a good amount of overall volume like the Water Hog. That way the board will float and paddle you well. It also will be stable when you get to your feet. Then as you get better you should move to something smaller that you can progress more on. That is when the Weirdo Ripper is going to be a great second board option. The Weirdo has more volume and lower overall rocker compared to other smaller performance models which is going to help the board paddle and float better. It will also not be as hard of a transition coming off of a larger board. The Weirdo is a great board for surf from about thigh high to a couple feet over head with a lot of maneuverability which is going to help and allow you to begin to progress with your surfing.

Hi CI…I am ordering a tweaked version of a WR 5’10” – 20 1/2” – 2 5/8” (34.9L) for small days at my home beach breaks. My every day board is FOUR groveler 5’11 – 20 3/8″ – 2 5/8″ (33.9L), I am 6ft tall, 195 lbs and I am wondering how will ride the WR….Also what is the difference in rocker and bottom shape between the FOUR and WR? Thanks

Alright Ci, been doing some serious homework in an effort to build the right quiver.. I have notoriously bought and ridden boards too small for years = lower wave count, hindering my own progression.. I am ditching all my boards & setting up a quiver that I will be able to go from intermediate, ie catching waves, (kooking)pumping down the line top to bottom frontside & backside, to becoming a well rounded surfer. Height & weight 5’10 180. Southern cal mostly. Thinking Average Joe in about 36L for groveler, then #4 or weirdo ripper in about 34L for better surf. Which is going to be better? and then what for a real nice wave board for travel, maldives, central am, etc? Am I on the right track here?

HI – I am 5’4, 125pounds intermediate woman surfer. They recommend to ride the weirdo ripper shorter then we are… and so should I still go for the 5’4, custom shape or just go for the Average Joe. I want a board for smaller wave but that can still hold if waves are bigger then they seemed from the beach!
thanks

Looking for a good all around board for So Cal, Surf HB and River Jetties primarily. I am 6’2 and about 220. Trying to decide between a New Flyer and Wierdo Ripper. I am an intermediate surfer, over 40 so their are no airs in my future. Can you give me some direction?

I’m in SoCal too, surfing north county san diego. I’m 6’2 and 230. I was trying to decide between those two boards about a month ago. I’m intermediate and 32 yo. No airs either. The weirdo ripper has been awesome. It’s a wave catching machine. It’s got great nose and tail rocker so I can drop in on just about any wave I’ve tried to catch so far. It is definitely wider than a new flyer tho so you have to take that into consideration. The swallow tail on the weirdo ripper also helps hold in waves that are more hollow. I’m riding mine as a tri-fin with AM2 fins.

Hi! I’ve been riding my 5’7 Average Joe for about 6 months and really like the loose feel.. I’m concidering a new board for the bit bigger days, mostly point and beach breaks up to head high surf.. What do you think, Weirdo Ripper og #4?? I’m 6 feet tall and about 165 pounds, intermediate skilled surfer.

Hi Jorgen,
If coming off the Av Joe and looking for something in the stomach to head high range but more responsive and performance oriented I would recommend the Weirdo Ripper. The Weirdo will paddle and get into waves very easy, the board is very fast and drivey, and is very responsive. It will work great in beach break and point surf very well. For your size I would say the Weirdo in 5’7 x 19 3/8 x 2 3/8 with 28.6L

Hi guys,
Looking at getting an alternative kind of shape, or alternative to my 5’11” standard shortboard. I have a dumpster diver, but it is a bit large at 5’9″ and I feel like it crosses over into the days where I would like to be an only longboard day. I would like to have a board a little bit smaller for the smaller waves, but not fat enough where it takes over every day crappy surf. I was thinking this board might be a nice bridge between the DD and the standard shortboard. Tell me if I’m wrong, or if there is another board also a little bit more performance minded of a groveler. Thanks.

Hi John,
If looking for a board to bridge the gap between your standard short board and Dumpster Diver there are quite a few very good options. The Weirdo is a great board but is really going to be used in about the same type of surf as your Diver. If you got a higher volume Weirdo that might make it perfect for a high performance groveler but it will then not be as responsive because of all the extra volume. A great option for a performance groveler would be the #4 groveler edition. This board will float and paddle great and work in surf from knee to chest high with a ton of performance. If you would like to let me know your weight I could then better recommend what size #4 would work well for you.

Hi CI,
I’m 6′ and about 160, intermediate level. I’ve been riding my cousins’ board for a while and my parents decided to get me an official second board for my 18th birthday. What size and maybe other models would you guys recommend?
Thanks.

Hello- I’m looking at the wierdo ripper. Looks- sick. I’m wanting to transition from something full volume and fishy to something between a full volume fish and a progressive shortboard to focus on surfing a bit more in the pocket and vertical. I’m a life long skateboarder, and snowboarder and i’m in pretty good shape. Is this a good board choice? I’m 6-0 about 190 lbs. Im only able to surf occasionally and usually surf colder water with a wetsuit. My other board is a 6-2 at about 42 liters- i’m wondering what your recomendation for a next board may be for size/ volume. Looking at the 6-0 – 6-2 Wierdo Ripper and #4. Thanks!!

Took out my custom 6’0 Weirdo Ripper with a pin tail into some solid 7-8ft northwest waves. Lots of push but not throwing too hard. I am about 195lbs and the board is 38L. The ripper was not corky and the rail buries nicely. The board handled the speed with lots of hold. Not skatey at all with all that power under my feet and cutbacks were like butter. Some Jordy futures helped with that. I am Very Very happy with the result. Thanks Channel Islands!

CI,
I starting surfing with a 9’0″ longboard and then transitioned into a 7’0″ fun board. I then tried to ride my friends 6’3″ 19 1/2″ 2 7/16″ Fred Rubble and could not ride it. I have been told I’m an intermediate surfer but I think I’m still novice. I surf at Huntington, Trestles, and SanO in SoCal. Im 6’2 187lbs and I want to transition into a short board. I have been looking at the weirdo ripper and the #4 surfboards but not sure which one to go with. Can u tell me which one would be the better board for me?

I’m thinking about a Weirdo or New Flyer. I’m 5.6 and 160lbs, and novice/intermediate surfer. The last board i use was a 6.4 x 20 ½ x 2 5/8 and was cool to ride.
I’ll past 3 months in New Zeland and Indonesia to surf intensively and i’m looking for a unique board to really progress that i can use between 0.5m to 2m waves. What’s your advice concerning the size and the model?

Lord Lunch says you should get the size that suits your skill level, fitness and the time you can spend in the water.

Lord Lunch gonna guess you aren’t surfing heaps if you are here looking for advice. Look at the same length as your height to start with and add or take off an inch or 2 when you think about those 3 factors: skills, fitness, time in the water. You gotta be honest with yourself man!

Currently looking for a new board and the Weirdo Ripper looks to be it. I’m 5’9″ and 3/4. I weigh about 145-150. Primarily surf OBX and Hurricane swells in the fall. Looking for an all around good board from summer mush to solid fall/winter swells. Not sure what size is best with the Weirdo though. I was thinking 5’8? Comments?

Thanks for the obvious, I would never have figured that out from the pictures.

Anyone with real world experience between the WR & #4? Seems like the #4 is slightly better as an everyday board and that perhaps the WR is better suited for lined-up better days? Which board has more rocker? Which board carries more foam through the foil? How do rails compare between these two boards?

Dear CI,
I’m trying to decide between your WR, DD and #4 as a mid range board for my quiver. They all look like they could fit the bill so it is going to come down to my preference of shape, tail and bottom contours. Which clearly look awesome on all of them.
Please let me know what you mean by “prefers a lined up wave”. I prefer a lined up wave too, I think everyone does – that feeling of looking down the line as you’re taking off is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Do you mean it doesn’t like a sectiony wave or a close out wave or one that peters out in a channel? In my opinion all the waves in the vid are sectiony and the board goes awesome smashing those sections. I know the riders in the vid are some of the best in the world though so I take these vids with a grain of salt. Close outs can be fun sometimes, but I don’t know any board that goes awesome in them.
Please let me know what you mean by “prefers a lined up wave” as it will make my tough decision way easier.
Sincerely, Lord Lunch

Dear CI,
I’m going to guess you mean a walled up wave as opposed to a fat slow wave.
Let me know if I’m on the money? Or not, I suppose you guys are busy rolling out heaps of similar but not quite the same boards.
Thanks for… letting me comment on the board.
Sincerly, Lord Lunch

Hi, my teacher recommended this surf board, but he told me according to my skill levels i need a wide shortboard in the range of 6,0 and 6,2 of height, im 5,8 and weigh 145lb, your webpage recommended 5,6 i was wondering if a 6,0 weirdo ripper is not suitable for me??

Hi Sebastian,
Depending on what your skill level is with your weight is going to really decide what size length and dimension Weirdo you should ride. With your size I would say a 6’0 is going to be much to large and something in the 5’6 – 5’7 size range will most likely work best. However If you could let me know what your level of surfing is and what size board you are currently on I can then let you know what size Weirdo would be best for you.

Hi Kris,
Yes the Weirdo Ripper will be good for doing airs in 2ft surf. With this board you can generate a ton of speed and drive and that will help you with lift off of smaller sections.The wider, flatter forward outline and set up as quad helps with drive. The vee bottom helps the board stabilize through turns and landings on airs.

Hi, I’ve never surfed a board smaller than 6’3 and I wanted to buy this as a step down, your page recommended me a 5’5 since im 5’11 and 145-150 lbs (varies with time and season) but I feel like it would be to small, since it says 2″ shorter than your height technically the smallest I should get is a 5’9 but that still feels to little also considering the fact I still might get a bit higher, I’m intermediate surfer and surfed longboards all my life and I stepped down to a 6’7 and then to a 6’3, my 6’7 is now my step up board but I need a smaller board than 6’3, I was thinking of getting this 6’0, would that be not suitable or potentially to large.

I am really interested in making the Weirdo Ripper my go-to everyday board. I am on the edge between the stock 5’7″ and 5’8″ and generally ride boards in the 27cL to 30cL range. If I order this board as a FutureFlex, would you advise ordering it a size down to account for the added buoyancy from the material (as opposed to standard PU)? Thanks for the help!

Hi Chuck,
The Weirdo Ripper is a great every day go to all around board. The Weirdo is the exact model I use for my everyday board. With your size and level of surfing I would try to go right in the middle of the volume you are wanting. I would go with 5’7 x 19 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ 28.6L of volume. That way the board is going to paddle and float great, work in some smaller mushier surf and will still hold and perform in some better couple feet over head surf. Also if ordering in the future flex I would make sure to order it in the 5’7 as the FF has a bit more buoyancy.

While all three boards look like a blast, I enjoy the versatility and loose feel of a swallow tail. The #4 is a close second, however I already have a double wing groveler that I am currently using as my go-to board. This board is at the bottom of volume limit and, although it is blast, can’t hold up much in bigger surf. Thus, I am looking for something a little more high performance-esc that can work in both average and decent waves. I have tried out the New Flyer and was thoroughly impressed; it is a very good board. The only drawback for my taste was the lack of a wing. San Diego summers can be infamous for gutless waves and I like to utilize as much energy as i can by leveraging a pivot point in the tail. I also like the smaller package (3″ shorter for my volume) to give it a bit more of a “skatey” feel.

Hey Kurt,
Of course that is personal preference but I prefer the WR over the others because I feel with the wider forward outline and lower entry rocker that the board has helps it paddle and get into waves better. I also feel it has more drive and speed than the #4 and New Flyer. The Weirdo to me as well with the double concave with vee out the tail helps the board to not loose any speed through turns along with stabilizing your turns. The New Flyer I feel needs a bit better wave to really get going and perform as it should because of the more pulled in nose and tail and slightly more rocker. It works well in the pocket but not as much on an open face as the Weirdo. The #4 groveler works great in smaller mushy surf but when anything with more of a pocket or over about head high the board tends to slip and catch a rail easier. The Utility #4 is another great all around option but I still prefer the Weirdo over it. I hope that helps and if you have any other questions just let me know.

Would I be correct to say, the #4 has slightly more rocker than NF; and more foam carried through the foil and rails? If so, where does the WR fit in? Sorry if the questions are the same, just trying to nail down differences.

Hi Alan,
The 2 biggest differences in performance that you will notice between the 2 models is that the Weirdo Ripper is going to have more drive and speed and the board is going to be much more responsive because of the nose and tail being pulled in more. The Weirdo will also hold speed through turns very well as well as go top to bottom better than the Diver. If you have any other questions please let me know.

considering a 511 x 19 3/8 x 2 3/8 weirdo and maybe a squash or round tail, i want a board for fun oahu surf, not bigger than double overhead but still overhead, v land and south shore style waves. is stretching out the weirdo a good idea or is there a better option? i like fuller rails and fatter noses…thanks!

Hi Anthony,
I personally have only ridden the Weirdo in a stock swallow tail and have not thought about changing it because of how well it works. I have ridden the Weirdo in surf to about 3ft over head and pretty punchy and it worked and held very well. Instead of stretching out the Weirdo and putting a round or squash tail I would maybe look into doing that with the New Flyer or maybe even the Dumpster Diver. I think those 2 outlines would go better stretched out with the tail options you are considering.

Here is my first review on the Ripper. So I’m an intermediate-advanced surfer who is 6’2 and weight about 195 pounds. I got a Ripper for 5’10, and this board is just amazing! easy to paddle easy to catch waves especially where I live is at Huntinton or Newport Beach. Mushy waves. We got some good ones about double overhead waves and in all conditions in So Cal, this board is ripping! Guys, get this one if you want to have fun, and this board makes you look bad ass! Trust me! This is the choice. Good luck and enjoy the waves!

Hi Matt,
The 2 boards are going to feel and respond much different because the shapes and outline are pretty different overall. The Stubble is going to feel and perform more like a traditional short board and work well in surf from about thigh high to head high along with working better than the Weirdo in the pocket. The Weirdo is going to work better in more down the line surf. It also is going to have more drive and speed overall and be a bit more responsive than the Stubble. I would recommend riding the Weirdo as a quad to maximize the drive and speed and the Stubble as a thruster to give the board some bite through turns. If you have any other questions please let me know.